BERLIN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Schalke 04 must keep Europe off their minds if they are to revive their Bundesliga campaign in Saturday's home clash with leaders Bayern Munich.
Schalke managed a 1-0 win at home to Porto in the first leg
of their Champions League tie last week but two defeats in the
German league either side of that result have left them nine
points behind Bayern in fifth place.
Saturday's game offers a chance to resurrect their title
bid, or at least a top-three finish and a place in the
Champions League again next year, but only if the players can
put next Wednesday's return leg against Porto out of their
minds.
'The last two defeats were very bad for us,' Brazilian
defender Marcelo Bordon told reporters. 'We have to put those
results behind us and give everything when we face Bayern.
'It's important for the players, the club, for our own
families and also in terms of respect.'
Bayern are four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga
after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Hamburg SV last
weekend.
Ottmar Hitzfeld's side are still in with a chance of a
domestic double after a penalty from Franck Ribery late in
extra-time gave them a 1-0 win over city rivals TSV 1860 Munich
in a German Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
It was an exhausting derby for the Bavarians but Hitzfeld
is confident his team will be well prepared for a match against
another traditional rival.
'I think we have a very good chance on Saturday,' Hitzfeld
said. 'It's true we had to play extra-time but we are in good
shape and on Saturday we'll be going for victory.'
Second-placed Werder Bremen will have to get used to life
without Brazilian playmaker Diego when they play at home to
Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Diego was red-carded for an off-the-ball challenge on
Ioannis Amanatidis in Werder's defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt
and he starts a three-match ban.
Third-placed Bayer Leverkusen, six points behind the
leaders, play away to Bochum on Sunday. Fourth-placed Hamburg
SV, who are behind Leverkusen on goal difference, are at home
to Eintracht Frankfurt the same day.